Boats at Fort Wilderness

[CanadianEmily]

We're staying at Fort Wilderness for the first time in the spring. Reading these boards was my first time learning that the resort-to-resort boats are not running. I assume that's still true? In any case, we're still planning on taking the one to MK if it's feasible. Does it run really early before park opening? And how late does it run? And how often does it run?

We were planning on going to MK and then taking the monorail to Contemporary and then taking the boat back to Fort Wilderness, but I guess that's not a thing now without going back to MK first. That's okay, although it does change our plans to check out Wilderness Lodge during our trip.

Thanks!

 

[Wood Nymph]

The boat only travels between Ft W and MK. There are no plans to bring back the resort-to-resort boats. But you can get a bus to WL from the Settlement Depot at FtW that also goes to MK.

 

[jo-jo]

The boat only travels between Ft W and MK. There are no plans to bring back the resort-to-resort boats. But you can get a bus to WL from the Settlement Depot at FtW that also goes to MK.

So it's not a "things are coming back slowly " thing?? The smaller boats are gone forever???? If true, that's so sad.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So it's not a "things are coming back slowly " thing?? The smaller boats are gone forever???? If true, that's so sad.

Reality is no one really knows, we just know it's the one boat service that has yet to return since reopening. Rumors and boat captain chatter about it not returning, 'CR didn't want to pay their share', staffing etc, etc, but only the mouse truly knows. Personally I think it will someday randomly restart again and catch everyone by surprise, but that's just me.

 

[Stratman50th]

Just read on the camping forum that resort to resort boats were running as of this morning.
This was unconfirmed and the poster was trying to confirm.
Many times this stuff is confused and incorrect. I have also heard the boats aren't coming back. Would be nice if true but not counting on it. We shall see.

 

[Goofy4]

I'll try to confirm late next week.

 

[Stratman50th]

Actually I just read it on here not the camping forum.
Post in thread 'Disney's FORT WILDERNESS CABINS & CAMPGROUNDS Information & Questions' https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...s-information-questions.3218169/post-64511929

 

[Stratman50th]

Someone at the campground now said that the resort boats still aren't running.

 

[CanadianEmily]

Thanks everyone. That's disappointing. I hope they randomly start running before we get there! Not a huge deal if not. We'll still go to Contemporary since it's easy to get back to MK. Probably just won't do a tour of Wilderness Lodge. Odds are we wouldn't have had time to anyway, lol.

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks everyone. That's disappointing. I hope they randomly start running before we get there! Not a huge deal if not. We'll still go to Contemporary since it's easy to get back to MK. Probably just won't do a tour of Wilderness Lodge. Odds are we wouldn't have had time to anyway, lol.

It's really easy to take a bus from FW to the WL! Takes about 5 minutes. Definitely go visit!

 

[Goofy4]

I asked a boat driver today. He has heard that it is the Contemporary that doesn't want to contribute to the resort boat fund. The other resorts are willing. He suggested that guest complaints are the most likely way to bring them back. Otherwise, there are no plans that he is aware of.

 

[CanadianEmily]

I asked a boat driver today. He has heard that it is the Contemporary that doesn't want to contribute to the resort boat fund. The other resorts are willing. He suggested that guest complaints are the most likely way to bring them back. Otherwise, there are no plans that he is aware of.

I didn't realize until this discussion that the resorts are independent. It's odd that something like transportation between resorts wouldn't be something covered by the overall theme park. Even a boat between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness would be nice if Contemporary doesn't want in.

 

[HopperFan]

I didn't realize until this discussion that the resorts are independent. It's odd that something like transportation between resorts wouldn't be something covered by the overall theme park. Even a boat between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness would be nice if Contemporary doesn't want in.

Every hotel, every restaurant, every park ... are independent profit centers.

At this point running a boat with staff for just a few folks just doesn't make monetary sense. If a resort doesn't think those guests are bringing them income, why would they want to help pay for it? What is in it for the overall park profit center, nothing. And with the addition of the Minnie Van department, Disney has offered up another way to travel ... that does make them money.

 

[jimmymc]

The boat only travels between Ft W and MK. There are no plans to bring back the resort-to-resort boats. But you can get a bus to WL from the Settlement Depot at FtW that also goes to MK.

Is settlement depot the area near the lake, by Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Is settlement depot the area near the lake, by Hoop Dee Doo?

The settlement depot is the bus stop closest to the lake area, which includes Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[CanadianEmily]

The boat only travels between Ft W and MK. There are no plans to bring back the resort-to-resort boats. But you can get a bus to WL from the Settlement Depot at FtW that also goes to MK.

So is the boat that goes to WL the MK bus, but it makes a stop there? That will make a difference in whether we attempt it, because if it's the MK bus, it's probably crowded all day?

 

[tobikaye]

Not sure what exactly you are asking, but:

FW to MK = Boat

FW to/from WL = Bus

WL to MK = Boat or Bus

Some people will take the bus from FW to WL and then a bus to MK, but majority of guests take the boat. Same with people staying in WL, most take the boat.

 

[CanadianEmily]

Not sure what exactly you are asking, but:

FW to MK = Boat

FW to/from WL = Bus

WL to MK = Boat or Bus

Some people will take the bus from FW to WL and then a bus to MK, but majority of guests take the boat. Same with people staying in WL, most take the boat.

My most recent question was whether the bus from FW to WL is a dedicated bus or if it's also the bus that goes to MK, but I guess if there's no direct bus to MK, the bus to WL is the de facto bus to MK, whether it's considered that or not. Mostly I'm just curious about how crowded that bus would be, because we weren't intending on taking any buses this trip but now it seems that's the only way to visit WL without a dining reservation. We'll have a car but that does us no good, ha.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My most recent question was whether the bus from FW to WL is a dedicated bus or if it's also the bus that goes to MK, but I guess if there's no direct bus to MK, the bus to WL is the de facto bus to MK, whether it's considered that or not. Mostly I'm just curious about how crowded that bus would be, because we weren't intending on taking any buses this trip but now it seems that's the only way to visit WL without a dining reservation. We'll have a car but that does us no good, ha.

I really don't know much about taking a bus from FW to MK during the morning. But I do know that the MK bus later in the day and evening picks up at WL and then travels to the Settlement Depot before heading to MK. I've never seen more than a few people on that bus. Most people take the boats.

 

[tetera]

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